Why Is Lactose Intolerance More Common in Adults?

Why Is Lactose Intolerance More Common in Adults?

Kids digest the darnedest things. While young children can usually digest dairy ’til the cows come home, many adults are lactose intolerant. Research suggests adults lose the ability to digest lactose when they stop eating as much dairy, and gradual reintroduction to dairy can help solve the problem.

I Scream, You Scream — Why It Matters

We all scream… if we’re lactose intolerant. Those with the condition (yeah, lactard sounds catchier, but it isn’t the nicest nickname) don’t have enough lactase enzyme, which is needed to digest lactose, or milk sugar Lactose intolerance and lactase deficiency in children. Rings, E.H, Grand, R.J, Büller, H.A. Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 1994 Oct;6(5):562-7.. Lactose intolerance can develop after infancy or as the result of a disease like gastroenteritis. In rare cases, people are born without the lactase enzyme and are lactose intolerant for life. And lactose intolerant folks can be a real party to sit next to at the pizza place, with symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramping, gas, and bloating. Some people can consume more dairy than others before their stomach stages a mutiny. Eight to 12 ounces of milk won’t cause a problem for most kids and teens with primary lactose intolerance.

For anyone with dairy troubles, it might just take some (milk) to break some! Some scientists believe avoiding lactose products isn’t the only solution. Researchers suggest a diet with small portions of lactose products can help the body adapt and train it to break down lactose. Start with small amounts of milk on a full stomach, natural cheeses, or yogurt. If that doesn’t work, might as well just wear it.

Did you have problems with lactose when you were a kid? How about now? Tell us in the comments below!